Roc Day 2010

Whether it be spindles or spinning wheels, Roc Day is always a day of sharing as well as learning. ROC day is sometimes called “St. Distaff’s Day”. Of course, there is no such saint! It is celebrated on January 7th, the “first free day after Twelve-Eve-Christmas”, which was a holiday of transition from Christmas revelries to the round of everyday work. It is also called “Rock” day, as the distaff was sometimes referred to as a rock.
Traditionally, in old England, women did not spin during the twelve days of Christmas. ROC day or St. Distaff’s day, was their day to get back to work,and they certainly made the most of it! They were not without troubles during this time, because it was tradition that the plowmen thought it sport to set fire to the flax and tow. The women kept buckets of water always ready to put out the fires. It was a game of sorts, with many young men being “drenched” to the bones! Also the spinners went back to work a day ahead of the weavers, so that they could have plenty of yarn for the weavers. It was their special day.
In modern times, Roc Day is held the weekend closest to January 7th. Spinning of fibers, tales and yarns are common but no tricks by the young men. In fact, we are lucky if one man attends the gathering. This year Roc Day featured numerous vendors offering their wares--lovely alpaca fiber straight from the animal or prespun skeins of colors. Whisper Soft Alpacas
Or take the alpaca fiber and create wonderful bead felted necklaces as this vendor has done.
Cathy from Coldwater Alpaca Ranch creates useful items like felted fiber handmade soaps. Here she models one of her lovely necklaces.

Take this colorful tangle of yarns that have been hand dyed and what do you think can be created? How about this?
This is the creation of weaver friend Barbara. She used fiber reactive dyes to dye the rayon flake yarns last fall and this week she brought her weaving sample to our meeting, 8H Strickler point twill . Not bad, huh? We had other wonderful wovens presented this week. Our topic of study is color and weave. Here is an example of 'stash' busting by weaver Marion-- A silk scarf. How about Charlene's 30 epi of 20/2 rust, green and golf linen woven in turned twill?
Here are two or her silk scarves sett at 45 epi; variegated gray weft and for second one green/gold weft on black warp. More to come later. We have some talented weavers here!

New Year, New Mystery KAL

As a sucker for mystery KAL's, there is no stopping when new year brings some interesting mysteries in the knitting world as well as in the literature world. There are three new knitting mysteries beginning in January that these hands will begin. You will see Kris Knits KAL posted along the side of the blog--check it out. Cool things happen with Kris' knit patterns. Another mystery is beginning on Ravelry with a lace sampler knitting group. This new group will feature a section of lace pattern each month, designed with theme in mind. Do you have lace yarn calling for a lace knitting strategy? Then this is right up your alley. And the third one that is just right for this cold weather--mystery socks! Yes, another pair of mystery socks have begun--and these are from the top down (hate toe up socks so shy away from those patterns until the pattern is complete, then they can be knit from the top down). What a great start! After the next clue this Friday, it's possible that the both socks can placed on two needles. But, for the time being, they will stay on double pointed #1.
Can you see the beads? Maybe should have used off color beads so they would be noticed. What fun it is to add beads to your knitting.
On top of knitting mysteries, two mystery books are being read--one by audio "The Girl Who Played with Fire" the second one of a triple hitter by Swedish author (now deceased) Steig Larsson. This one is when walking and sometimes, the adventure is so lively, you just want to walk further to continue the story line.
And by the bedside is a 'thriller' by Ann Cleeves, "Black Raven"; set in Shetland Isles and the beginning of another three set. Never a dull moment that's for sure.
**Note: I stand corrected as to title of Ann Cleeves first book in Shetland series. It is Raven Black! Definitely a good read!*** See comment regarding a fourth book in the series--which is exciting news.

What To Do?

Okay, what do you do when you have already copied the pattern, with permanent marker, to your fabric and the date is wrong? Yes, we all make that mistake of writing the past year for the first few times in the new year. But, here is a stitchery pattern that was copied last year and with all good intentions (yes, should have been finished in 2009!)to stitch in early December. Somehow, it got lost in the pile of other things to do and finally surfaced this year--2010!
There are thoughts of doing a dash followed by 2010 but don't know if there is enough space. Also, it could just be stitched, framed and considered done in 2009 and not worry about changing the date at all even though it was finished in 2010. Oh, well, guess in the wide world of troubles this isn't a problem! This design comes from Kaaren at First Friday Freebies Each first Friday of the month she posts a new stitchery pattern from her designs.
Other freebies are beginning this month. Check along the blog side where each new site that is found will be posted. If you are a knitter check out Kris Knits for new knitting pattern each month. Kris has some wonderful dishcloth patterns. And of course, Debbie Mumm always have free projects.

Right Start for the New Year

Not a Book! But a CD!
We begin 2010 with new sock knitting patterns--an assortment from several different designers in fifty states. There is a promised KAL on Ravelry (Group is 50 Socks-50 States) as well from this collection of patterns.
You too can have this CD book by contacting the editor, Dr. Laura Andersson at Sirius Knitting

Passage

Here we go--we are passing into a new year. Before leaving this old year behind it's time to reflect. Reflections of sharing time with good friends, learning from them, laughing with them, crying with them. Reflections of the love of family; caring for each other; being there for any crisis or happiness.
Yes, we are passing through a tunnel into a new year. Here's the best to you and yours for a Happy New Year's Eve!

Good-bye! Hello!

It's time to say good-bye to 2009.........

And hello to twenty ten!

We will close out the year with one final handspun and hand knit item--Basket Whip Cowl as modeled here by 'Greenhead'.

Finished, complete! Now, we move onto other projects that are on the list. And maybe add new projects to those wips........